Domestic Violence & Pets

Mistreating animals is no longer seen as an isolated incident that can be ignored: it is often an indicator or predictor crime and a “red flag” warning sign that other family members in the household may not be safe.

Looking for a safe haven for you and your pet? Click on the map to find a shelter that allows you to bring pets. If there’s no listing for your area, call a local animal shelter and ask about temporary assistance for pets in domestic violence situations.

Marion Dougherty: By day she was the queen of casting, a powerhouse in film, changing the culture and transforming lives with her uncanny eye for discovering talent. By night, she lived a nightmare. A $15,000 donation in memory of Marion Dougherty, helped launch this website, so other victims of domestic abuse can escape their abusive situations with their pets. Please read her story.

SAF-T enables more domestic violence victims to leave abusive households without leaving their pets behind and at risk. SAF-T was created in recognition that families who are abused often have pets and do not wish to be separated from them when fleeing their abusive environment.

There is a strong correlation between domestic violence and abuse of pets. Most domestic violence shelters cannot accommodate pets so it is no wonder that women who have few resources and nowhere else to turn stay in abusive relationships when pets are present. The Purple Paw program is designed to help domestic violence victims leave their abusers with their pets.

Nearly half of the victims who stay in violent households do so because they are afraid for their animals. Countless more never leave the home for this very reason. Companion animals like cats and dogs may be threatened or harmed; the vulnerability of other animals like horses may also make it difficult for victims to escape in emergencies.

The entities included in this listing either provide sheltering services for the companion animals of domestic violence victims, have a relationship with an entity that does, or provide referrals to such facilities.

Domestic violence affects all family members, including pets. SNAAP works to raise awareness about domestic violence and animal cruelty in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and to provide assistance to victims, both human and animal.

Research clearly shows that offenders of domestic violence often have a pattern of abuse involving all members of the household – including children and pets. RedRover offers financial assistance for victims of domestic violence and their pets through our RedRover Relief program.